Judo Self-Defense Forms: Goshin Jutsu

Kodokan Goshin Jutsu

The Kodokan Goshin Jutsu was created in 1956 by a Kodokan working group to update the older kata with more modern forms of self-defense. It also shows the influence of Kenji Tomiki, one of Professor Kano's students, who also studied Aikido under the founder of Aikido.

It consists of 21 techniques against an unarmed, as well as armed, attacker. It is divided into two unarmed sets (toshu no bu) and three sets with weapons (buki no bu). The first seven techniques are against an attack close in. The next five are against attacks from strikes and kicks. Then there are three attacks with a knife, three with a stick and three with a gun. The techniques here cannot be used in free exercise practice or in competition, but only in kata. Never-the-less, as one practices this kata, the attack speed increases and one's reflexes and reactions sharpen to meet the attack. Eventually, this kata can be practiced with real weapons.

The intent in this kata is different than with normal Judo practice, in that this is a self-defense kata, the intent on the part of both participants is to hurt the other. While the actions are controlled, so that the attacker is not hurt, the defender's actions can easily be modified to disable the attacker. It is important to realize that all of the techniques in this kata are consistant with the principles of "Judo", the way of gentleness or yielding.

For complete videos of the Kodokan Goshin Jutsu see the demonstration by the First Place Winners from Japan at the 2008 IJF Kata World Cup, or this one by the US Finalists. Additional videos from the Kodokan are at the bottom of this page following the description.

Unarmed Close-in Attacks by Holding

Ryote dori - two hand hold

Stepping forward with the left foot, the attacker grabs both wrists and attempts a right knee kick to the groin. Defender avoids the kick by stepping back with the left foot, forces his right hand against attacker's weak thumb releasing the grip, and continues his motion into a right knife edge strike to the temple. Defender then uses the right hand to grab the attacker's right wrist from the top and twists to the right, and ends with an armlock and wrist lock forcing the attacker to submit or have his arm broken.

Hidari eri dori - left lapel hold

Using the right hand the attacker grabs the left lapel and pushes defender back while stepping forward with the right foot. Defender holds attacker's hand with his left hand as he steps back with his left foot, pulling attacker off balance, and strikes attacker's eyes with the back of his right hand. He immediately grabs the attacker's right wrist from the top with his right hand, placing his left hand on the attacker's right elbow and stepping back with the right foot. He ends the attack by forcing the attacker to the ground with a wrist and elbow joint lock, controlling his body with his left knee.

Migi eri dori - right lapel hold

As attacker grabs across to the right lapel and pulls defender forward by stepping back with his left foot, defender steps forward with the right foot and delivers a right uppercut to the chin of the attacker. He then grabs the wrist with the left hand from the top, steps back with the left foot, adds the right hand, and turns forcing the attacker to be thrown with the wrist lock.

Kata ude dori - single hand hold

Attacker approaches from the right rear and grabs the right arm lifting defender to his toes and attempts to take defender with him. As they walk, defender delivers a right kick to the left knee and uses the unbalance position of the defender to apply the armlock to the right arm forcing submission.

Ushiro eri dori - back collar hold

As they are walking forward the attacker grabs collar from behind, steps back with the left foot, and pulls. Defender turns and blocks the arm with his left hand and delivers a punch to the solar plexus with the right hand using the turning motion. He then applies the ude gatame armlock, forcing the attacker's elbow down.

Ushiro jime - rear choke

Attacker puts his right arm around the defender's neck from the rear to apply hadaka jime. Defender tucks in his chin and pulls the arm down from his throat. He then steps forward with the right foot, turns to the left ducking under the choke, forcing attacker's arm into the te gatame armlock with his right hand on the attacker's elbow and left hand grasping the wrist.

Kakae dori - rear seizure

Attacker steps forward with his right foot and grasps the body and arms from behind as in a bear hug. Defender counters by raising shoulders and arms and simultaneously stomping on attacker's foot with a forceful downward kick. This causes attacker to release grip. Defender then turns to the right to grab the right wrist with his left hand, bringing the right arm up behind the elbow pushing attacker's arm into a forceful throw which is applied by continuing the turning motion.

Unarmed Attack at a Distance

Naname uchi - slanting strike

Advancing with his right foot attacker attempts to strike the left side of defender's head with his right hand. Strike is parried by stepping outside attacker's right foot with the left and turning to the right pushing the arm down as it misses it's target. It is countered with a right uppercut to the chin and a throat grab forcing attacker off balance backwards as defender applies right osotogari to the attacker's rear.

Ago tsuki - uppercut

Attacker attempts a right uppercut that is parried by defender as he steps back with his left foot. Attacker's arm motion is redirected by grabbing the wrist with the blocking right hand. The left hand applies pressure against his elbow upward as the wrist is pulled down and defender steps forward with the left foot pushing on the elbow and wrist to throw by this action.

Gammen tsuki - thrust punch or jab

Attacker steps forward with his left foot and punches the face with the left fist. The punch is again parried as defender steps forward with the right foot and a counter attack is made by a punch to attacker's floating ribs. Defender then applies a rear choke (hadaka jime) with the right arm forcing submission or unconsciousness.

Mae geri - front kick

Defender parries a right kick by turning the body to the right and stepping back with the right foot. He then grabs the foot of attacker's raised leg with both hands, twisting the ankle, breaking it, and then forcing attacker backward and down.

Yoko geri - side kick

Walking towards each other, attacker attempts a side kick as he passes defender, who parries the kick, turns and pulls attacker down onto his back dropping onto his left knee. While this technique in the kata looks harmless enough, in actuality, the defender would leave his right knee in place behind the attacker so that he falls with his lower back on the knee, which would no doubt break the attacker's back.

Armed Attack - Knife

Tsukkake - close in thrust

As attacker steps back with his right foot and turns his body to withdraw knife, which is hidden from defender's view, defender steps in with the right foot, grabs the left elbow with the right hand, and blinds attacker with a left backhand to the eyes. Defender grabs the left wrist and twists it away to raise the elbow as the right hand applies pressure on the elbow. Attacker is taken down by application of pressure to the elbow.

Choku zuki - straight thrust

Attacker steps forward with the left foot, takes out a dagger with his right hand then steps forward with his right foot and attempts a lunge with the knife. Defender steps forward with the left foot turning to the right and grabs the attacking arm at the elbow with the left hand. At the same time defender strikes above the nose with a punch. Defender grabs the right wrist from below with the right hand, turns and applies an armlock (waki gatame) to the arm with the knife forcing submission or a broken elbow.

Naname zuki - slanting stab

Attacker steps forward with his left foot, takes out a dagger with his right hand and attempts a downward stab to the chest as he steps forward with the right foot. Defender steps back with his right foot, turns to the right, parries by grabbing the right wrist from the top with the left hand. Using both hands on the wrist, defender controls the wrist and arm up into a throw or takedown (kote gaeshi). He then locks the arm (ude garame) and takes the knife away and holds it against attacker's throat. Variations of this technique, force attacker to cut his own throat while being thrown.

Armed Attack - Stick

Furiage - upswing against a stick

Attacker steps back with his right foot, raises the stick with the right hand preparing to deliver a blow. As attacker brings the stick back to strike, defender steps in, blocking the attacking arm with the left hand, delivering a palm strike to the chin and throwing attacker backward with right osotogari.

Furioroshi - downswing against a stick

Attacker steps forward with his right foot, raises the stick with the right hand and attempts to strike the left side of defender's head. Stick is avoided by a turning action and stepping back with the right foot. Defender immediately steps in with a left backfist strike to the bridge of the nose. He then controls the stick, steps in again with the left foot behind the attakcer and strikes again below the nose with the knife edge of his hand forcing the attacker down.

Morote zuke - two hand thrust

Attacker thrusts stick to abdomen stepping forward with the left foot. Defender steps forward with the right foot, turns to the left and parries with the right hand. He then grabs the stick from the top with the left hand and pulls attacker forward and steps in to grab the stick between the attacker's hands with the right hand. The right arm is placed against the back of the attacker's left elbow applying pressure forwards. Attacker not wanting to let go of the stick, pulls back and defender steps forward throwing attacker with his own stick.

Armed Attack - Gun

Shomen zuke - pistol held to abdomen

Attacker steps forward with his right foot and holds gun against abdomen, says te o age (or hands up), and searches for wallet with other hand. Defender raises hands slowly, watching attacker's eyes, and at the key moment, turns to the right stepping forward with the left foot. Defender grabs the gun with his left hand, thumb on top, and his wrist with the right hand from the top, forcing it to the side and up into attacker's armpit and a release of the weapon. Defender then strikes attacker with weapon.

Koshi gamae - pistol at side

Attacker approaches with his left foot. Pistol is held away from defender towards the side aimed at the stomach and the defender raises his hands after the command of te o age (or hands up). As attacker reaches for wallet, defender turns, grabs the gun from the top with the right hand, forces it to point away, and with the aid of the other hand, forces gun up and pulls it away to the right. Attacker's finger is locked into the trigger guard and is broken off. Defender ends the attack with an upward strike to the chin of the attacker with the gun. See the video.

Haimen zuke - pistol against the back

Attacker steps forward with the right foot. As gun is placed against the back as the attacker says te o age (or hands up). The defender glances to see what arm is raised. As attacker reaches for wallet, defender turns to the right, drops the right hand under the gun hand, raising it up to lock the gun arm against his chest. He then grabs the gun with other hand disarming attacker and striking him with it or applying kote gaeshi to throw him.

Welcome to the official Judo Information Site.
Please enjoy the online lessons at the original injury-free Kodokan Judo virtual dojo.
If you have any questions that are not answered on JudoInfo.com, feel free to contact us.